Central AC System GuideA heat pump and a central air conditioner cool a home the same way in summer, but a heat pump can also reverse its cycle to provide heat in winter. That single difference shapes most of the comparison between the two systems. This guide explains how each system works, how they differ in efficiency and dehumidification, and what federal incentives are available when choosing a heat pump.
How each system cools
In cooling mode the two systems are functionally identical. Energy Star states that during summer a central heat pump works the same as a central AC, cooling a home by moving heat from inside to outside.
Both rely on refrigerant to carry that heat. Energy Star states that a heat pump works just like a standard air conditioner by using refrigerant to absorb unwanted heat and transfer it outside through pressure changes.
The winter difference: heating by moving heat
The defining advantage of a heat pump is that it can run its refrigerant cycle in reverse. Energy Star states that unlike central ACs, heat pumps can run in reverse to heat a home in the winter by extracting heat energy from the outside air and transferring it indoors.
This makes heating efficient because the system moves existing heat rather than creating it. Energy Star states that because it moves heat from one place to another rather than generating it, a heat pump uses less energy to warm a home than a conventional electric or gas system.
Efficiency, dehumidification, and cost
When cooling, a heat pump can match or exceed a central air conditioner. Energy Star states that when used for cooling, heat pumps can be even more efficient than central ACs, and that they dehumidify the air more efficiently than standard central ACs.
Upfront pricing is comparable and incentives narrow the gap further. Energy Star states that before incentives the price tags of heat pumps and central ACs are comparable, and that the Inflation Reduction Act lets homeowners reduce the upfront cost of a heat pump by 30 percent, up to 2,000 dollars.